Book Review: Rich is a Religion – Breaking the Timeless Code to Wealth by Mark Stevens

Don't be put off by the title, Rich is a Religion. Although I don't think it's particularly "reader-friendly," I do like the tagline, Breaking the Timeless Code to Wealth. It was the hook, and Stevens did a decent job of presenting the Code and breaking it.

I liked the stories of famous people in my first reading, and appreciated the message during my second reading. There were nuggets in the book. I’ll share the ones that contributed to the promise of Code-breaking.

Sam Walton used his wealth to bring good to our country. The way he managed his wealth was a reflection of who he was from his early years – a young Arkansas Eagle Scout. He was a one of the first members of the "Religion of the Rich." On the other hand, Saul Steinberg, a brilliant wonder-kind during the 1930s, seemed to be more of an “atheist of the Religion of the Rich.” He didn’t respect money, and didn’t protect the millions he made. He used it to define who he was, and for satiating his desires rather than using it to perpetuate goodness – for himself and others.

Stevens said that wealth and poverty were like yin and yang because he personally experienced both of these monetary situations, and was able to use this dual perspective to understand and relate the Code to Wealth.

The crux of the code is this: material possessions don’t define wealth. Wealth must be defined individually, from one’s definition of contentment. Also, wealth comes from this basic truth: more work does not equal more money, but from using less time to make more money. This is a mind-set of those that embrace the "Religion of the Rich," and something to work towards. However, for most of us, the simplicity of this message could be a turn-off, but I suggest that you use this book for encouragement, and strive toward this wise truth.